Guy H. Preston

Family In November 1899, Preston married Frances Elizabeth Hacker. She died in 1930, and he did not remarry. Preston was the father of two children, son John Beverly, an army aviator, and daughter Helen Howard, the wife of Major General Ray T. Maddocks.

Awards Awards Preston received the Citation Star for heroism at the December 1890 Battle of Wounded Knee.

Legacy Preston Branding

One of Preston's lasting contributions to army operations was the Preston Branding System, which he created in 1925 so the army could keep track of its inventory of horses and mules. On the day of purchase, each animal was branded on the left side of the neck in characters two and one half inches high and one and one half inches wide. The kit included two mess pans or plates that fit together in clamshell pattern, eating utensils, and canteen.

Effective dates of promotion Additional Second Lieutenant, June 11, 1888 Second Lieutenant, July 16, 1888 First Lieutenant, February 25, 1896 Major (United States Volunteers), August 17, 1899 (terminated June 30, 1901) Captain, February 2, 1901 Major, February 20, 1912 Lieutenant Colonel, July 1, 1916 Colonel, May 15, 1917 Brigadier General (National Army), May 15, 1917 Colonel, July 15, 1919 Colonel (Retired), May 29, 1928 Brigadier General (Retired list), June 21, 1930